Congressman Donald Holst Clausen

Donald Holst (“Doc”) Clausen of Ferndale, California, died February 7, 2015 at the Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna, California. He was living in the Clausen heritage home with his daughter Dawn Marie and her husband Jim Baumgartner the last month of his life. He was 91 years old.

He was born to the late Henry and Marie Clausen, April 27, 1923, in Ferndale California. Don graduated from Ferndale High School in 1940. He was an honor student, drum major, and lettered in five sports. Don attended college before joining the Navy and served as a carrier pilot, flying F4U Corsairs in the South Pacific. After the war he started an air ambulance service at the Crescent City Airport in California. He started the high school aviation program at Del Norte High School. He married Jessie Oleva Piper in 1949, and she was the love of his life for 63 years.

Don served on the board of supervisors in Del Norte County, 1955-1962. In 1963, Don was elected as a Republican to the 88th Congress, and served an additional nine terms until 1983. He then went on to become the director of special programs for the Federal Aviation Administration, 1983-1990 during the Reagan Administration. He retired with his wife in Santa Rosa until 2012.

Don is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Dawn and Jim Baumgartner, of Ferndale, California; Bev and Bob Mendenhall, of Keens, Texas; He also is survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Ferndale Museum where his Congressional desk, chair, and memorabilia are on permanent display.

A memorial service will be held at the River Lodge, in Fortuna, California on March 6 at 2:30 pm. A family graveside service will be held March 7, at 2 p.m. at the Ferndale Cemetery.

You can visit their site at fortunariverlodge.com for more information on location and services. To leave condolences and messages for the family please visit www.piercemortuarychapels.com. Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, California. Please sign the guest book at Times-standard.com, click obits.